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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1'996 <br /> <br />Council Member Haskell noted that the number of persons answering as <br />"'undecided" in the public opinion survey was large, indicating that <br />citizens need more information in order to make a decision on this <br />matter. Mr. Dickerson said those participating in the focus groups <br />felt they needed more information. <br /> <br />Supervisor Buchanan suggested that Mr. Dickerson, as an employee of <br />Tultex Corporation, was not an unbiased facilitator for the focus <br />groups due to the support of the merger study by Tultex President <br />Charles W. Davies, Jr. Supervisor Buchanan also suggested that a <br />disproportionate number of Tultex employees were in the focus groups. <br />It was noted by several persons present that Mr. Dickerson was <br />recruited as the facilitator by City and County officials prior to any <br />public position being taken byMr. Davies. Council Member Teague noted <br />that Mr. Dickerson was a professional facilitator in his work. <br /> <br />There was a broad discussion among several Supervisors and Council <br />Members regarding the wide variety of forms of governmental <br />consolidation which could be pursued. Several persons suggested that <br />a study should examine the issues not only surrounding total <br />consolidation. but also issues dealing with differing forms of partial <br />consolidation or governmental restructuring. <br /> <br />Dr. Donald Lacy read prepared remarks which summarized the public input <br />received from the public forums which were held. Of all persons <br />attending the public forums, 60% favored a study and 39% were opposed. <br />Among County residents, 50% favored a study and 49% opposed a study. <br />Among City residents attending the forums, 93% supported a study and 4% <br />opposed a study. Dr. Lacy stated that during the forums, he shifted <br /> <br /> <br />